The light of dusk settles upon the grassland. Fires are lit within the campsite that is stationed by the hills of Redcliffe's outer lands - just outside where the castle that holds Magister Alexius and his forces awaits still miles away. Guards circle the camp as many soldiers are preparing their beds, eating their meals, and readying for tomorrow's march to reach their destination.

For some members of the Inquisition, however, there is little time for leisure. Arturia and her companions - including their newest ally in Dorian - all gather around a wooden table with the map of Redcliffe and its castle on the board. Cassandra, Sera, and Vivienne are absent for this mission, all three of them still recovering back at the main base from the previous mission at Therinfal Redoubt. Prior to heading out, there were some concerns over letting Arturia make this travel after her battle with the Envy Demon, but Arturia not only feels considerably, if not completely, healed up, she isn't going to let anything delay her meeting with Alexius, as stubborn as it may sound. The fabric of their time and reality would not be so patient after all.

Scout Harding stands beside Arturia, as well as Solas, Varric, Iron Bull, Blackwall, and Dorian. It is fewer numbers than preferred, thus some accommodations had to be made, but Arturia trusts the strength and diligence of the companions with her now. They will be enough to take Alexius by surprise, and provide her support should it come to that.

There are also the spies that follow Harding's lead, hand-selected by Leliana herself. Some of them are currently far ahead of their camp, scouting the area and keeping watchful of anyone coming from the direction of the castle. A few of them are outside the tent, keeping an eye on anyone who might stroll by, ensuring that there is nobody eavesdropping on this meeting, the final preparations before they bring the storm into Redcliffe Castle.

"-Then it's agreed," Arturia assesses, gilded eyes staring down at the map, where the small Inquisition flag stood by the rear of the castle. "Harding and Dorian will lead Leliana's men into the secret passage, disable any alarms, guards, and spells planted there, and reach the main hall where Alexius and I will be waiting. Iron Bull, Blackwall, Varric, and Solas will accompany me. We will buy time and distract Alexius long enough for all of his mages to be eliminated, then close in on Alexius."

Everyone in the tent nods in agreement, though she notices most of their obvious avoidance to meet her gaze directly. She does not hold it against them, though secretly, she feels a little subconscious over the piercing, golden stare she must be possessing. "Timing is of key importance once this meeting begins. I have your promise that you will reach us in time, Harding, Dorian?"

The two crucial players of this plan step forth with their worded assurance. "As long as you provide us ample time," Dorian states confidently. "A flavor of negotiation even if neither party intends to keep them - well, not that it would matter anyway. Talking makes sure that Alexius doesn't suspect a thing. Felix will be there as well, and he will be the one to break news of our knowledge of Alexius' true intentions. By that time, I will walk in with all my handsome glory and keep Alexius' attention on us while his magisters are dealt with, and then, all that's left is dealing with Alexius himself."

The Tevinter mage pauses for a moment, and then adds, almost unsurely, "If it's not too much trouble though, would you be kind enough as to not try fighting Alexius? I have a feeling that you would very easily kill him without much effort, especially with that unique magic resistance of yours."

Iron Bull's growling sigh could be heard even outside the tent as he rises from a nearby seat, "You better not be thinking about letting past history get in the way of things, especially considering just who we're dealing with right now. This is the guy who wants us all dead and wants the boss here on the dissecting table."

"Not to mention threatening to destroy time and changing our entire reality," Blackwall joins in, glaring at Dorian, "I've been keeping this quiet until now, but now's a good time as any: how do we know you're not still loyal to your countrymen? To the point where you would stay your hand from doing what needs to be done?"

"Hey now, take it easy on the guy. He's come this far for us," Varric said in defense.

"That may be so, but he hasn't convinced me yet," Blackwall responded before looking back to Dorian, "How do I know if you're not willingly trying to lead us to our demise? How do we know it won't be our backs you won't be stabbing instead of the magisters?"

"That's enough, Blackwall," Arturia orders, a firm display of authority by only a quick glance. Blackwall does not speak further, though he still looks to Dorian in expectancy, awaiting for the warden's questions to be answered.

Seeing how it is not only Blackwall, but the whole room who seem to share the warden's doubts, Arturia has no choice but to address this right here and now - or else this doubt could seep into the mission and their whole plan could up being derailed. The knight turns to Dorian, acknowledging his request with a question bearing, "Why do you ask of me that much? If Alexius is in league with the Elder One, then it's possible that he had a part in the many atrocities that have been committed since the Breach's existence - and if not a collaborator, then he must have been aware, or at the very least suspected the methods used to reach this point. He's actively deceived the mages and, very likely, could have known what was occurring within the Templar Order - thus a co-conspirator to the Order's corruption and its war with the Mages. You said it yourself that he is desperate. Perhaps he is desperate enough that he may be willing to die fighting, or ruin time itself to where we may cease to be."

"I am not ignoring any of that," Dorian responds coolly, and in the face of the many lists of crimes that his old beloved mentor could very well be guilty of, he is not fazed in the least as he dared to meet Arturia directly in the eye. The knight finds herself impressed by Dorian's resolve, as she listens to his answer. "I've thought heavily and countless times of Alexius' sins, and what I've concluded was simple: this is not Alexius being himself... or at least, as I know him. Ever since he lost his wife, he'd been feverishly trying to locate a glimmer of hope so that he would not lose his son as well. They were his whole world, and half of it had been taken, while the other half he is threatened to lose as well. You could say that he let his grief-stricken heart smother out his reasoning, but I doubt everyone else in the world wouldn't be guilty of stepping at least once onto the same path that Alexius has committed himself to."

He then raises his voice slightly, for everyone within the tent to hear while still keeping his eyes on trained on Arturia, "I also know that he is not responsible for all that's been done to Thedas. The Elder One, whoever they may be, most likely took advantage of Alexius' vulnerable state, and twisted him into the shadow of the man he used to be. I know that Alexius will have to face his crimes eventually, but I cannot allow him to die like this. He needs help, not death. With no one to truly help him in his grief, wouldn't anyone else do the same if their loved one - their whole world, was slowly dying before them, and all they would be left with is a memory?"

There is a strong silence that came after. Arturia stares at Dorian for a long moment, the words hitting fairly close to home than she would ever reveal at this point and time. A clear-cut memory of her time in the Holy Grail War, fighting to save her kingdom, now lost forever as she copes with its death in her marred heart. The faces of the knights she's lost are still fresh in her mind, and will remain as so for God knows how long.

"...Very well, Dorian. If you are willing to believe in Alexius, then I will spare him and make sure he is judged accordingly and fairly."

There is a shift of relief in Dorian's posture, his eyes brightening in gratitude as he gives a nod. The others do not rebuke, and though some still have their disagreements visible in their expression, no one argues with Arturia's decision. For Dorian to have his request heard, should there be consequences to it, he shall face them bravely.

He may not know for sure, but Dorian has a small feeling that Arturia understands where he is coming from, and that brings great comfort to the Tevinter mage.

He also seems to catch a small hint of understanding in the elf mage's eyes, though it quickly hides away before he could truly think on it. There's certainly quite a bit of history his new allies have that he may need to ask about later. He has another feeling that it won't simply end between him and the Inquisition once this is all over.


With night settling upon the camp, everyone has departed from the meeting to their tents and beds. Arturia rests upon hers, seclude in her tent as she stares up at the roof, the slow-moving fabric by the soft wind a mesmerizing lull, as she ponders over what's to come tomorrow.

"Everyone is on edge," Arturia lets her mind be heard by her sword, "A lot is at stake here. If we do not succeed in this mission, we may very well have our existence erased."

And she cannot have that, not after the friends she's made and all the work they have done for this world. This is the one time when she did not want anything in the past to change. It was ironic how much she is willing to fight for that now.

"This discomfort in my chest, I haven't felt this nervous in what feels like ages," Arturia states, resting a hand over her concealed torso, where her scarred heart beats.

"There's more to it than that," Her sword exclaims, proud to have read her clearly. "You're more bothered by how the people can't look at you in the eyes as often now."

Yes. She supposes that there is that reason too. It is very similar to how it was when she was King Arthur. Many are afraid to speak to her, and even for those who do, either ostracize her for her inhumanity or wanted to challenge her.

"It never used to bother me before," Arturia thinks somberly.

"Solely because you have no mask to hide behind now," Excalibur responds pointedly. "You're more connected to your humanity than ever allowed in those days. Though they should still have the courtesy to speak to you directly, harrumph!"

Ignoring the last comment, Arturia looked sideways to the lamp on the wooden table next to her bed. Observing the slow dancing flame of its candle.

"I suspect that Cole would likely approve of this. But is such a development worth all these new feelings I must endure now? I feel more restless than ever. I'm more compelled to act on my heart than to think with my head."

She supposes there were some merits to that, as it further separates her persona from Kiritsugu. Strangely enough, she doesn't bear as much disliking for the man whenever she thinks of him nowadays.

"I worry that this new development could compromise the Inquisition, and everyone who serves under it. If I were to lose control again, as it happened with the Envy Demon, how many lives would be lost?"

Fear. Worry. Passion. Arturia has become infested with such deep-rooted emotions that it makes her insides shiver at the unfamiliarity of it all. She has to wonder if it is truly her having driven feelings that she is concerned over, the people she is morally bound to lead, or the meeting with Alexius tomorrow. She cannot decipher the source of her growing agitation, and she cannot let it have hold of her once they begin their march to Redcliffe.

She hopes to hear from Cole soon, once this mission with Alexius is dealt with. He may be able to help her through these feelings and how to better handle them.

Before Excalibur can answer, footsteps are heard from the entrance of Arturia's tent, and the knight hears a soft call. "Hey, Herald? You still awake?"

Arturia recognizes Harding's voice. She rises from her bed and sits at the edge. "I am. Come in, Harding."

The scout enters, a deep slumbering look about her as she let out a yawn. She is still dressed in her scout attire just without the armor, as needed for the immediate action of tomorrow's morning. The dwarf woman gives the knight a friendly wave, "Sorry to bug you. I just came from answering mother nature's call and saw the light from your tent was still on. Can't get any sleep?"

Arturia shakes her head, resting her Excalibur on the side of her bed. "I suppose not. A heavy amount weighs on my mind is all."

"I'll say. Since it's way past midnight and you'll be needing your rest soon before tomorrow. Can't have our one and only herald fall asleep on us, although that would probably be worth a sight just to snuff it in that magister's face," Harding chuckles a bit, taking a nearby seat at a wooden chair next to Arturia's bed.

"Is it really that late?" Arturia asks. Time seems to always fly so quickly around her. "Forgive me, I haven't noticed. I may have been... distracted as of late."

"Yeah? Something to do with those eyes of yours?" The scout questions as politely as she can with a hint of casualness, though Arturia could see that there is genuine concern within her tone.

The knight reassures with another shake of her head, "No. It's really more of a force of habit. I'm used to staying up so late, especially the day before an important mission is to occur. It was something I learned by the ways of my father's teachings - wondering endlessly if everything is as it should be, for nothing to go wrong."

Arturia isn't sure if she was either speaking of her foster father Sir Ector, or her birth "father", but she supposes it can work with either man.

"Is that so? I guess that's something all fathers do. I wouldn't know much though. My father died from an illness when I was younger. It was my mother who took care of me for most of my life," Harding leans against the arm of the chair as she rests a hand over the side of her face, "She told me stories about him though, all the work and aid my father did. It's what inspired me to join the Inquisition, follow my father's footsteps, in one way or another."

She suddenly takes a pause, and rises from her chair, approaching the entrance of the tent again, "Although, if I'm really being honest here, this is NOT how I had first thought it would go, with that big behemoth in the sky."

She pulls back the curtains and stares out into the dark, where the distant glimpse of the Breach could be spotted in its ever-eerie greenery. Arturia stands up from the bed and walks towards Harding's side, staring out at the view of the Breach as well.

"Does anything in life ever go as expected?" The knight poses out loud, not really expecting an answer from the scout but finds herself a bit surprised when she does receive one.

"Maybe not," Harding admits, shrugging, "But even if that were true, what else can anyone do except give it your all? Or else die with regrets that you could have done so much more. That's probably the worst thing to feel as opposed to dying while fighting to do what's right."

A long look of reminiscence dips into Arturia's glimmering golden eyes, "I'm in agreement to that, knowing that feeling all too well."

They took a moment to stare silently out into the Breach, in the midst of darkness, as the calm wind washes over the tents in the night. The meeting at Redcliffe growing ever closer with time, as time itself allows them to.

It isn't until the next morning that Arturia realizes that Harding never looked away from her direct line of sight.


The day has finally arrived, and so has the Inquisition to Redcliffe Castle.

Tevinter mages await at the front gates as they welcome the Herald with an evident eagerness that is truly off-putting. It says a lot about Arturia's discipline that she doesn't let it show as Harding, bow and arrow on her back, watches carefully from her hidden position, behind the partly ruined windmill. The Herald walks into the castle with that typical stern expression of hers, her companions following closely behind, keeping to the knight's blindspots, but not so obvious that the Tevinters could suspect their suspicions on what exactly this meeting is truly about.

Well, it's time for Harding and her group to do their part of the show and make it on time, or else, allow their actions to reflect poorly on their lady's side of things.

While the Herald and her companions walk into the castle at the front door, the spies of the Inquisition make their own way to the castle through the secret path from the windmill, with Harding leading their hand-picked group into the darkness of the hidden passageway.

"You'd think that Alexius would bother to clean up the place," The dwarf comments as she feels her foot splash against a small puddle of murky water, mildly miffed as she just got these things cleaned the day before.

"I doubt Alexius was even aware of this tunnel's existence, else he would have had mages guard its entrance. It goes to show his ownership of the castle was last minute, giving us a chance to take advantage of his oversight," Dorian informs as he lightly swats away cobs of webs in his way with his staff. Oh, what he wouldn't give to be a dwarf like Harding, who doesn't need to worry about such little nuisances. The webs quickly burnt away with the slightest use of his magic as they continue through the dark tunnel.

"I just hope to the Maker that there isn't a bear hiding anywhere in here," Harding states as she mentally recalls the exact instructions from her direct superior on how to navigate these hallways, "Or, actually, I hope there's at least a nug somewhere around here. Sister Nightingale would sure like that, especially ever since she found out they existed in this place. She's been obsessed with them, to the point that it's... well... a little scary. She even made it a point to command everyone in our particular section not to harm a single nug on sight."

"That's... surprising to hear, given how much that woman's eyes have been on me since the moment I stepped foot in Haven. I suppose there is a human being somewhere in there, underneath all that cloak and dagger after all," Dorian carefreely responds.

"If you ask me, I think she's never been allowed much to act like one ever since she became the Left Hand of the Divine. Now's a good time as any, especially if we might end up dying, which I hope we don't."

Their chatter soon ends as they approach a doorway that is clearly worn-out and dusty, an obvious sign that it has not been used in years. With the slightest adjustment to its lock and stuck hinges, Harding opens the door, and allows everyone in, silently praying that no one hears the old creaking sounds it is emitting.

From the other side of the door, it's shown that a tall shelf is pushed aside, carrying bottles of wine in its wooden grips. They hear voices in the middle of the room, from the other side of another tall shelf, they spot two Tevinter mages sitting at a table. Clearly drunk and lacking diligence in their duties.

'Oh, for the love of Andraste,' Harding thinks, disgusted at the lack of discipline on display, 'the wrath Leliana would wreak upon them if they were her agents.'

With quick work by the Inquisition spies, the mages are easily killed with daggers into their throats, their surprised screams cut short into simple death gasps.

The group proceeds out from the wine cellar and to the upstairs. More mages are found in the halls of the castle, along with planted spells that will set off for any intruders. With careful and quiet footsteps, the Inquisition spies take out every mage with quick successions, Dorian joining in the sneak attacks with the use of his magic, as well as disarming the spells that could have alerted Alexius.

Within time, they reach through the side of the throne room, where familiar voices reach their ears.

"-She knows everything, father."

"Right on time," Dorian whispers to Harding as they heard Felix's voice, followed by Alexius.

"Felix. What have you done?"

"We know of your true intention here, Alexius," The voice of their Herald echoes after. "We also know of the magic that you have done here in Redcliffe, drawing in demons and further distorting reality. Manipulating the mage rebellion to your side. Yet despite all of that, your son cares for you deeply, which is why I'm offering you this chance. Surrender yourself peacefully. Let this madness end now."

"What are you..." A sputter from what sounds like Fiona, as her voice soon transfers directly from Arturia to Alexius, "Alexius. What is going on here? Is what she is saying true? The irregular use of magic here on this land, was it all-?"

"Don't let yourself be won over by her lies, Fiona," Alexius assures as he attempts to salvage the situation, any cordialness melting away into sheer condescending venom. "She is nothing more than a thief, an anomaly that should never have existed in this world. And you, Arturia Pendragon. You dare to turn my son against me, walk into my stronghold with that stolen Mark, and think you're in control? You are nothing but a mistake."

"You are the one who fooled himself into thinking he's in control," Solas comes in, Harding spotting the elf mage walk up to Arturia's side. The hidden dwarf swiftly signals the other Inquisition spies to get into position behind the unsuspecting Tevinter mages, she herself moving stealthily around the pillars and towards the one which Dorian has chosen to hide behind. "The longer that this time magic of yours runs lose, the more that this world will suffer. Isn't it a curious coincidence that the moment the Tevinters arrived at Redcliffe, strange events started happening, all centered on this land, all magic-related? I would have found it a better lie if you attempted to solve the issue in Redcliffe, before ever offering to help with the Breach."

"I am far better equipped to burden myself with the power that which none of you are capable of understanding, nothing which the likes of any of you can even compare!" Alexius shouts with deep-seated anger.

"It's over, Alexius. Boast no more so very proudly," Arturia insists with an intentional inflection to her choice of words, the signal that Harding and the other spies has been waiting for. "You will no longer manipulate the Mage Rebellion as you see fit."

"That's my cue," Dorian mutters as he gave a humorful wink to Harding, "I leave the rest up to you."

The scout gives a professional nod as she mimics the posture of the rest of her spies and carefully watches Dorian's back as he starts to walk around the pillar.

"Just listen to yourself, father!" Felix pleads once more, trying still to wake his father from his delusions. "Do you even realize what you sound like?"

'I wonder if I would go this far to try to save my dad, or if dad would for me...' Harding thinks somberly to herself, casting a glance at Felix and Alexius.

Dorian reveals himself then, stepping onto the throne room. "He sounds like the sort of villainous cliche that everyone expects every Tevinters to be. Really Alexius, you're not helping our public image here."

"Dorian..." Seeing the gears in his head turning, Harding witnesses the moment everything clicks for Alexius as he looks upon his old student in utter disappointment. How the Inquisition figured out that time magic was used, how they knew of the magister's true intentions here. "I should have known. I gave you a chance to be a part of this. You turned me down. The Elder One has power you will not believe. He will raise the Imperium from its own ashes."

"The Elder One. That is the same name we've uncovered during the Templar riot at Therinfal Redoubt," The Herald states with narrow eyes. "It was the same name uttered by their demon who was posing as Lord Seeker Lucius, but you were already aware of that, weren't you Alexius?"

The look of shock is bestowed by Fiona, whipping her head to the knight before slowly turning back to Alexius, her brows furrowing. "Posing? Then it was not Lucius himself who continued the war? This can't be true. Tell me that you have not led my mages into allying with demons, Alexius?!"

"The Elder One is not a demon," Alexius professes with a sincerely reverent expression, despite his words carrying only, at least in Harding's humble opinion, unfettered insanity, "Soon, he will become a god. He will make the world bow before mages once more! We will rule from the warmest lands to the frozen seas."

"That is not what we want!" Fiona shouts, Harding grimacing at the anger coiling the elf woman's expression, internally sympathizing at the pained realization as slowly everything comes together for her as well. Alexius does not deny the Herald's last accusation, which truly means that he is in league with someone who has infiltrated and attempted to corrupt the Templars, resuming the war as it is through what Fiona previously thought to be the Lord Seeker's demented hatred against mages, or a simple lust for power. The face of the ex-leader says it all.

Her own mages, who had entrusted their very lives to her. Fiona had given her own rebellion to the man who had been killing its members through their enemies.

"We've wanted freedom! Not subjugation of others! You cannot involve my people in this!" Fiona grasps her staff at once as magic lit the head of it.

Dorian halts Fiona from attacking Alexius with a hasty raise of his hand, pleading with her with an almost desperate look before turning back to Alexius. "Alexius, this is exactly what you and I discussed about never wanting to happen. I just can't fathom why you would ever support this."

Felix, with a hardened expression, approaches his father as the man turns away from the others. "Just stop this, father. This isn't you. Give up the Venatori. Let the Southern Mages fight the Breach, and let's go home."

"No!" Alexius spins around, his eyes clouded with not simply madness, there is an unspeakable amount of grief and desperation, as his voice lowers. "No. This... It's the only way. He can save you, Felix."

"Save me? By killing thousands? By destroying the world?" Felix tries to push his feelings into his father, but it is no use. Alexius merely turns away.

"There is a way," The old magister states, sounding and wanting to be convinced of his own words. "The Elder One promised. If I undo the mistake at the temple - if I undo her."

Alexius glares at the awaiting knight whose golden eyes narrowed at his words. The old magister steps past his son. "Before she would ever get the Mark. Before she ever set foot here..."

"I'm going to die, father," Felix pleas, affirmative in this truth he has long been at peace with, and begging for his father to accept as well.

"I will not let that happen!" Alexius shouts, with eyes cold in resolute, he points to the knight in blue. "Seize her, Venatori! The Elder One demands this girl's life!"

'That's our cue!'

Harding strikes the back knee of the Venatori mage closest to her, and at their fall, she swiftly brings out and swings her hidden dagger through their throat.

Sounds of pain and the dying filled the room, and Alexius looks up from his stare down with the Herald. He sees multiple of his Venatori members drop to the ground, daggers beings yanked from their throats, and replacing the Venatori's position, standing in their place are the Inquisition spies. Harding personally steps onto the scene, using her bow and shooting an arrow at one of the surviving Venatori members on the ground, and gives a wave at the others.

"Well, so much for them," Iron Bull cannot help but chuckle as he arms himself with his war hammer. "Nice work fellas!"

"And here I was worried that I had to start making jokes to keep on stalling," Varric japed as he grabbed his crossbow over his shoulder.

"Your men are dead, Alexius," Blackwall speaks as he unsheathes his own sword and shield. "Come with us quietly, and we might give you a fair trial." Instead of outright execution, is what Harding imagined he wanted to say.

"This has gone on long enough," The Herald supports, meeting the old Magister in the eye, her draconic pupils seeming to sharpen. "For your son's sake, surrender yourself."

"No... No!" Alexius backs away, finding himself cornered by the Inquisition, and his own son who the man wanted nothing more than to save. He turns his attention back onto the knight, deeming her the core reason for this fallout of his plan. "You... You are a mistake. You should have never set foot into this world!"

From his pouch, he pulls out an ancient-looking medallion, glowing an eerie, magically infused emerald energy.

'That doesn't look good,' Harding realizes as she feels an immediate chill of dread at the very sight.

"That's-!" Solas shouts in panic, recognizing the sort of magic that is being shown and prepared in Alexius's grasp. "Everyone get away!"

The Herald's eyes widen, like her instincts are openly screaming at her in the wake of imminent demise at hand, and she jumps forth, closing the distance quickly.

"NO!" Dorian reacts as well at the sight of the medallion. He wields his own staff and performed a spell, the same time as Arturia stretches forth her glowing marked hand, reaching for the medallion out of Alexius's hand.

And the last thing Harding remembers seeing is the whole room being encompassed in a bright flash of light.


A/N: OMG I'm back again! Here's the next chapter! Sorry for the delay, with both college and a personal project keeping my focus, I haven't been posting any of my fics as often now. By the time the semester ends I hope to have enough inspiration to post more frequently, but don't hold your breaths.

Thank you for reading! I hope everyone had a good Spring Break and are looking forward to Summer! Please leave a kind review and thank you once again for the amount of views and follows this fic has! You guys are incredible! I love you all!

Take care and I will see you all next time! (whenever that may be).